Pablo Piatti will arrive at the MLS is Back Tournament as Toronto FC’s newest Designated Player. Here is how he can provide a unique offensive threat for Greg Vanney’s team.
Toronto FC were close to building an MLS Cup-winning team last year. Relying on players that have inspired the recent success, Greg Vanney’s team again looked dominant in midfield, dangerous in the final third, and improved immensely across the backline once Omar Gonzalez arrived at centre-back.
However, throughout the entire season, the team lacked obvious zip and speed in wide areas. Vanney used a myriad of players in the positions, including Jacob Shaffelburg, Nicolas Benezet, Richie Laryea, Tsubasa Endo and Terrence Boyd. None were able to tie down a consistent starting role and they moved into different positions throughout the year.
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This lack of direct play in the final third was most noticeable in the MLS Cup defeat to the Seattle Sounders. Toronto controlled the match, dictating play in central midfield with Jonathan Osorio, Michael Bradley, Marky Delgado and Alejandro Pozuelo, who dropped deep from his false-nine starting position, dominating central areas, playing lovely combinations to recycle possession. But it was not until Jozy Altidore arrived from off the bench to provide some bite and purpose that the Reds scored. By that point, the Seattle counter-attack had caused enough damage.
With Bradley reworking his contract and releasing his Designated Player status, Toronto FC used the offseason to find precisely what Vanney believed they missed last year: a pacy, direct, skilful, goalscoring wide player. Someone who can stretch the pitch, receive passes from Pozuelo, and play off the bustling, bullying Altidore. In Pablo Piatti, the club believes they have their man.
Piatti missed the start of the season through injury, which has been a major issue throughout his career. But as preparations for MLS is Back heat up, Vanney spoke extremely positively about the Argentine’s impact and prospects. Via Michael Singh of Walking the Red, the Toronto FC head coach said:
"“Everybody is moving forward, Pablo [Piatti] included. He’s looked great. He’s been very dynamic. His fitness level is good. He’s been great. It’s been nice to have him on the ball, he’s got a good personality, he’s explosive—very quick, shifty. So it’s nice. And having another left-footed player that’s able to play on the left side at times who slide in at different position inside will give us a little bit more versatility, too.”"
Piatti is precisely the type of player that Toronto missed last summer: someone who can receive the ball, beat a defender in a one-on-one, and then whip a dangerous cross into the box; someone to drift into a half-space before bursting into the channel and getting a shot off on goal; someone to break forward on the counter-attack and sear past an isolated defender as the team pours forward in support.
The question now turns to whether he can stay fit. Per Vanney, he is now ready for action, but the winger has a long injury history. He is also now 31. For how many games will he actually be available for selection?
If Piatti can get and stay fit, though, and that is a rather large ‘if’, Toronto FC might just have added the exact type of offensive threat they needed all last season. And if all goes well, it could tip them over the edge.